Volume 6, numéro 1, march 1979

EN :

To consider both the deposits and their setting within a sedimentary basin is an instructive and rewarding approach in studying Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits hosted by sedimentary carbonate rocks. There are now numerous constraints on origin of these deposits, and the sedimenary-diagenetic hypothesis of origin still appears to answer more questions than it poses. Oil in basins seems clearly related to the thermal and structural evolution of sedimentary basins. Ore, in comparison, appears to require coincidence of a specific set of precipitation as sulphides. Recognition of the importance of heat in the maturation of organic matter has led to the development of indices of thermal and organic maturity. It should be possible to apply these indices at least to relatively unde-formed Mississippi Valley-type deposits and their host rocks as a means of discovering burial and thermal history. Organic matter commonly is spatially associated with these deposits: a close look at such organic matter m the light of modern petroleum geochemistry should help to determine whether such association is casual, or genetic m terms of affecting source, transport and precipitation

EN :

Great Lakes sediments and biota are contaminated by persistent and toxic organochlorine compounds. Large areas of sediments are contaminated, however, much higher concentrations are observed in fish and birds due to bioaccumulation processes The estimated total load of polychlonnated biphenyls m the sediments of the Lakes Ontario, Erie and Superior is approximately 50 metric tons. Spatial and temporal changes of sediment contamination can provide useful information on contaminant sources and pathways within the basin.

With increasing numbers and amounts of chemicals in use, the potential for further environmental damage is high Environmental research. effluent limitations and public education are needed to restore and maintain high water quality in the Great Lakes.